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Pisac is a small town on the Urubamba River about 20 miles from Cusco. It is most famous for its Sunday market (as far as I can tell, it lasts all week) which is loaded with handicrafts lying in wait of the busloads of souvenir-hungry tourists that descend on the place. However, there is a small, elegant, less-visited ruin high above the city.


Posing for pictures is a major source of income at Pisac. The picture of the two girls decked out in native dress was taken in Pisac's town square (market.) The picture of the girl and Anne was taken on the path to the ruins.


The Pisac ruins are much smaller than those at Machu Picchu and the setting is less spectacular. However, the individual structures and the city itself are more elegant and better made.		The terracing at Pisac is also striking. Pisac's working quarters are to the right of the terraces in the photo above.



Flora found growing at Pisac.

This unusual series of structures literally clings to the hillside. The lower portion is of Inca construction. Adobe was added above it, perhaps by campesinos, at a later date. The narrow straw roofs appear to have been added recently specifically to preserve the adobe.	A view of the Pisac temple complex showing the town of Pisac far below.	A view of the Urubamba River from the Pisac ruins. As at Urubamba it is meandering and slow moving and has carved out a broad valley.

We visited Pisac the last day we were in Cusco. The next morning we hopped the "Inca" back to Puno on our way to La Paz.


Talk about posh. The cars on the Puno run were brand new and very well appointed. They had fine wood paneling and great loos. The passenger cars were a bit cramped (and pretentious) with their overstuffed armchairs and tables for every seat. The last car, a combo observation deck/lounge, was a delight.		For the first half of the journey we climbed up the Urubamba River valley. During the second half we descended down into the Lake Titicaca basin.	The Inca was a lot better than the overnight bus!

Bolivia, 2001